Defective Celestron hand controls?

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gregl
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Defective Celestron hand controls?

#1

Post by gregl »


Hey folks, are you having problems with defective Celestron hand controls? The one for my old orange-tube 8SE died so I ordered a new controller. It arrived with up alt. and up scroll keys intermittently inop. Celestron sent me a second one and this one has an intermittently inop down scroll. This is not encouraging. Am I the only one with such bad luck?
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Re: Defective Celestron hand controls?

#2

Post by Lady Fraktor »


It can happen if the controller has been sitting for some time, there are carbon contacts under the buttons and they can get dirty/ corrode.
You can buy a cleaner for these (television remote contact cleaner) or use a white rubber draftsman eraser to clean the contacts off.

If you have a older controller doing this you can buy a paste that replenishes the contact points as well.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
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Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
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gregl
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Re: Defective Celestron hand controls?

#3

Post by gregl »


Thanks for the reply. I did try to save the old controller but it was bad electronics, not the contacts. These two were new out of the box, so back they went. I hope the third one is OK. If not, it will be refund time and I'll check the used parts dealers for a good old version controller.
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Re: Defective Celestron hand controls?

#4

Post by JayTee »


I have purchased two lesser expensive refurbished Celestron mounts (the SLT & GT), both with HC's, from vendors on eBay and both HC's have worked as advertised. This may be a source worth considering if the third time is NOT your lucky charm!

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

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Re: Defective Celestron hand controls?

#5

Post by gregl »


Thanks, JT. I had thought about eBay but decided to go with factory new as I wanted to avoid these kinds of troubles. I'm thinking that was a mistake. :?

The new one is about $110 after tax and shipping while an eBay one is about half that ±. Our dark site (as in Dark) is about two hours drive, the last hour up a one-lane winding road. I didn't want to chance planning a weekend session and then wiping out because I tried to save a few bucks.

What's that saying: Some days you're the windshield and some days you're the bug.
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Re: Defective Celestron hand controls?

#6

Post by JayTee »


Also, don't forget that many Celestron HC's are interchangeable. My CPC HC works equally well on either the SLT or the GT. BUT my AVX mount is NOT a good match to any of the Alt-Az HC's. Although I have gotten it to work but not at full function. I've never tried the AVX HC on one of the Alt-Az mounts though. Hmmm, maybe I should try that and see what happens. I'm kind of crazy that way!!

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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Re: Defective Celestron hand controls?

#7

Post by gregl »


The third hand control has arrived and it is also defective. The alt up button does not work consistently. I think Celestron has a problem with these controllers. Three strikes and you're out — I've contacted the dealer about a refund, and I will look around the used market for a good working old-style controller.
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Re: Defective Celestron hand controls?

#8

Post by JayTee »


Hi Greg,

Here are two different Celestron HCs from the same vendor on eBay. Give them a "looksee", they are for a Nexstar mount and a GT mount respectively:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Celestron-Nexs ... .l4275.c10
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Celestron-Nexs ... .l4275.c10

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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Re: Defective Celestron hand controls?

#9

Post by gregl »


Thanks, JT. I'll check them out.
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Re: Defective Celestron hand controls?

#10

Post by chicagorandy »


Were you able to eliminate the possibility that there is a problem with the HC plug socket in your mount? Three bad NIB items sure sounds like a low-probability situation? I'm thinking that if all the new Celestron HCs were 'inop' there would be all kinds of posts across the interwebs?

I dunno, just my try at 'psychic' electronical troubleshooting - lol
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Celestron Nexstar+ 127 SLT, several budget plossl eyepieces, Celestron 8-24mm zoom EP and a 12.5mm illuminated double reticle EP, Svbony SV205 camera w/.5 focal reducer, Celestron SkyMaster 20x80 binos on a 40 yr old QuickSet PanHead tripod, Stellarium, Sharpcap and ManyCam on my laptop, SkyView and Nightshift on my phone and a dandy little $9 red-light flashlight.
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Re: Defective Celestron hand controls?

#11

Post by JayTee »


Randy brings up a good point, I have had issues in the past with bent pins in the female socket of those RJ connectors.

JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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Re: Defective Celestron hand controls?

#12

Post by gregl »


Thanks for the tip on the connector. Another hand controller borrowed from a friend works perfectly. The problems with the defective ones are limited to one or two buttons that fail intermittently, suggesting a contact problem underneath the finger button.
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Re: Defective Celestron hand controls?

#13

Post by Kerry C. »


Did this issue ever get resolved?

Scopes; William Optics GT 81mm Triplet, TS Optics APO 102mm f/7refractor, Cestron Nexstar 8SE, Gskyer 80mm x 400mm refractor
Mount; Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro
Cameras; ZWO ASI 2600MC Pro, QHY5iii462C, ZWO ASI224MC, Canon 600D DSLR T3i.
Guide scope; ZWO 60280 f/4.6
Guide camera; ASI290mm mini
Filters; Optolong L-eXtreme 2”, Optolong L-Pro 2”, QHYCCD IR/CUT, QHYCCD IR850
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Re: Defective Celestron hand controls?

#14

Post by Lady Fraktor »


I believe he finally found a controller that worked for his mount.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
The only culture I have is from yogurt
My day was going well until... people
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